Ronaldo becomes Spanish citizen

By Charles Carrick

12:01AM GMT 11 Nov 2005

Real Madrid's Brazilian striker, Ronaldo, has taken out Spanish citizenship.

The 29-year-old, at Real for the last three seasons, follows fellow Brazilian Roberto Carlos in taking up dual citizenship. But both of them will be playing for Brazil in next year's World Cup finals in Germany, despite swearing to uphold the values enshrined in the Spanish constitution.

The move helps Real add a non-European Union player to their staff, freeing a non-EU squad place.

Rio-born Ronaldo, who has been seeking to take out Spanish citizenship for the past year, first arrived in Spain at the age of 20, from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, after starting out with Cruzeiro.

He spent a year at Barcelona under former England coach Sir Bobby Robson and then joined Inter Milan in Serie A, where he spent five seasons before heading for Real and a second crack at La Liga.

The World Cup winner's contract with Real runs through to summer 2009.